In the SM (Service Module), FE-4 Sergei Volkov performed a 4 hour IFM (Inflight Maintenance) on the EPS (Electrical Power System), removing & replacing the BUPT-1M current control unit (box A401) of the 800A battery #1. The old part was prepared for disposal on Progress M-10M/42P. [The battery's ZRU charge/discharge unit #1 was deactivated by TsUP/Moscow beforehand and reactivated later. Each of the eight 800A 28 Volt batteries in the SM (the FGB has six) has its own ZRU charge/discharge unit, which tracks 49 battery parameters and is designed to increase the operating life of the battery by setting up charging & discharging modes. Each ZRU is comprised of one battery current converter (PTAB), one PTAB current control unit (BUPT-1M), and three charge/discharge current integrators (MIRT-3). Before connecting the new BUPT, TsUP turned off the BITS2-12 onboard telemetry measurement system and VD-SU control mode.]

JAXA Marangoni Experiment:The crew was advised of another Marangoni bridge building event tonight (11:00 PM-5:00 AM GMT), the 3rd in 24 planned bridge buildings in Increment 29/30. The experiment is performed in the Kibo JPM during crew sleep (since the liquid bridge to be formed is sensitive to g-jitter), 4 days/week at most and 24 runs in total. After the liquid bridge has been formed, the ground imposes a temperature gradient on it to produce Marangoni convection. The crew, which will be informed regularly, has been asked to avoid any disturbances in this timeframe. Even disturbances in other modules can be transmitted and cause the liquid bridge in JPM to break up, resulting in science loss.

WASHINGTON -- Students in Edinburgh, Texas, will make a special call to the International Space Station and Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum on Tuesday, September 27.

The event, which includes a video link with Fossum, will be broadcast live on NASA Television at 10:10 a.m. CDT. One thousand middle school students are expected to participate, including fifth through eighth grade students from Fossum Middle School in McAllen, Texas, which was named after the astronaut. Fossum is originally from McAllen.

The event, hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American, is part of the Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week, a program designed to encourage South Texas students, many of whom are Hispanic, to study science, engineering, technology and mathematics.Journalists are invited to attend.The in-flight education downlink is part of a series with educational organizations in the United States and abroad to improve teaching and learning in STEM subjects. It is an integral component of Teaching From Space, an agency education program that promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community using the unique environment of space and NASA's human spaceflight program.

The exact time of the downlink could change. For the latest NASA TV schedule, visit:

CDR Mike Fossum reconfigured the WHC (Waste & Hygiene Compartment) from feeding the internal EDV-U container to supplying the UPA (Urine Processor Assembly) directly for processing. [After yesterday's R&R (Removal & Replacement) of the failed FCPA (Fluids Control & Pump Assembly), the ground was not able to reactivate the UPA, and it remains in shutdown over the weekend. The current thinking is that the problem is due to an override issue rather than a connection or other hardware issue. Usually when the UPA is deactivated, the WHC is configured to use an internal EDV. However, to conserve EDVs, Mike today temporarily integrated the WHC with the UPA.]

Now this is very interesting - I hope it's not another Soyuz quality issue...

From ISS On-Orbit Status Report for 25/09/2011.

FE-4 Sergei Volkov had 4 hours set aside for an extensive job on the Soyuz TMA-02M/27S, first moving the air duct in the SA (Descent Module) out of the way, then performing a meticulous inspection and documentary photography of the screws used on the SA's structural ring near the two SOTR/TCS (Thermal Control System) fluid connectors (two M6 screws), possibly left inadvertently behind on each connector, which were supposed to be removed before the launch. The presence of these screws may cause off-nominal separation of the SA & BO (Orbital Module). [After the recent (09/16) landing of Soyuz TMA-21/26S, temporary screws were discovered on the SA structural ring near the SOTR fluid connectors which did not belong there. This can be explained by the change in vehicle processing procedure after the vehicle was damaged last year while in transit to Baikonur, with some work then performed not at the plant but at Baikonur. To be safe, it was decided to conduct a thorough inspection of temporary fasteners on all spacecraft, including the current 27S vehicle, to ensure safe conditions for a nominal landing.]

Interfax just moved a report based on the NASA site: "Soyuz Spaceships to Be Checked For Temporary Fasteners - NASA"

Seems like a prudent step based on a discovered Soyuz launch prep foul-up at Baykonur.

It could have led to improper separation of the Descent Module from the Orbital Module. At the same landing phase, pyro failures twice messed up DM separation from the Service Module not long ago, leading to nose-first entry and then a ballistic entry [and MIGHT have led to much, MUCH worse]. This time, the module separation (DM and OM) may not have been as serious, had it occurred, because aero forces would have torn them loose soon enough -- maybe?

If THESE temporary screws were left installed, what OTHER screws might there have been that ALSO should have been removed -- but may not have been? If there are any, they might not be inspectable from inside the current Soyuz.

Bottom line. Yet ANOTHER "human error" during launch prep at Baykonur, that threatened malfunction of the most recently landed Soyuz vehicle [with Garan aboard]. It SEEMS like a one-time oversight based on unique processing changes required by the Soyuz vehicle damage in transit -- but then, OTHER anomalies could similarly lead to OTHER kinds of procedurel errors, might they not?

Interfax just moved a report based on the NASA site: "Soyuz Spaceships to Be Checked For Temporary Fasteners - NASA"

Seems like a prudent step based on a discovered Soyuz launch prep foul-up at Baykonur.

It could have led to improper separation of the Descent Module from the Orbital Module. At the same landing phase, pyro failures twice messed up DM separation from the Service Module not long ago, leading to nose-first entry and then a ballistic entry [and MIGHT have led to much, MUCH worse]. This time, the module separation (DM and OM) may not have been as serious, had it occurred, because aero forces would have torn them loose soon enough -- maybe?

If THESE temporary screws were left installed, what OTHER screws might there have been that ALSO should have been removed -- but may not have been? If there are any, they might not be inspectable from inside the current Soyuz.

Bottom line. Yet ANOTHER "human error" during launch prep at Baykonur, that threatened malfunction of the most recently landed Soyuz vehicle [with Garan aboard]. It SEEMS like a one-time oversight based on unique processing changes required by the Soyuz vehicle damage in transit -- but then, OTHER anomalies could similarly lead to OTHER kinds of procedurel errors, might they not?

Why do they keep slipping through?

Because we ARE human?

I would not want to lay blame on the Russians on any perceived actions, but knowing some of NASA history leads me to believe that pressure to keep pushing things out and doing the 'status quo' leaves one complacent. Lessons learned here are that (hopefully) going forward: procedures are put in place to verify critical steps. In this case, it could be as simple as coloured fasteners put in a plastic box where the fasteners that come off have to be accounted for visually.

Logged

Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our rights & freedoms, and for those injured, visible or otherwise, in that fight.

Soyuz 27S Inspection Update:FE-4 Sergei Volkov's inspection yesterday of the Soyuz TMA-02M/27S SA (Descent Module) structural ring showed that the structure appeared nominal, without the two temporary screws which had been discovered on Soyuz TMA-21/26S after the landing, instead of having been removed before launch.

I had a great day today. I felt a little tingle as the team powered me up on my prime power channel for a power load test...tomorrow I'll power up on my redundant power channel for another test. The tests aren't to test my systems, but to instead test the load on the ISS batteries and power equipment.

As you see, I have two power channels. This ensures that even if one fails, I can keep moving to get the job done or safely parked. Although my strings are called "prime" and "redundant", its not like I'm always using the prime string and only using the redundant one when something goes wrong. In fact, the naming was completely arbitrary, and on any given day I use whichever string the power guys prefer in order to balance the loading on the ISS power channels. Hope you enjoyed your MSS robotics lesson for the day!

SAW Power Testing:Yesterday, MCC-H initiated a two-day SAW (Solar Array Wing) maximum power output test, to improve the fidelity of maximum power output calculations. [Channels 3B, 4B, 1A, and 2A were tested yesterday, with the performance test intentionally scheduled during the autumnal equinox, with a test data collection of +/- 5 minutes from orbital noon. Robotics ground controllers powered the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), MBS (Mobile Base System), SPDM (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) and MT (Mobile Transporter) equipment on the 4B power channel in support of the battery testing. Upon completion of the test, the system was returned to its keep-alive power configuration. System performance was nominal. Today, channels 4A, 1B, 3A, and 2B are being tested, with Robotics loads turned on again.]

Conjunction Alert:Flight controllers are tracking a conjunction with Object 29394, Japanese H-2A Rocket Body, a repeating conjunction with TCA (Time of Closest Approach) on 09/29 (Thursday) at 8:55 AM GMT. The other close approaches, currently outside the notification box, are 1-rev earlier and 1-rev later. This particular conjunction has very favorable miss distance geometry and is not thought at this time to pose a high risk. However, due to the relatively small miss distances and its repeating nature, the conjunction is classified as of Medium concern at this time. The major decision points will occur tonight and tomorrow morning. If required, a DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) would be conducted on 09/29 at about 6:37 AM GMT (est.)

Conjunction Alert:Flight controllers are tracking a new conjunction, with Object 23335 (S/L-4 Rocket Body), a repeating conjunction with two TCAs (Times of Closest Approach) tomorrow, 09/29 (Thursday), at 7:02 PM and 8:34 PM GMT (which are still moving around). Although the miss distances have moved out on some of the revs, one or more of them still could pose a risk to ISS. The current geomagnetic storm (which affects atmospheric density) is starting to subside, so it is hoped that the data will begin to stabilize prior to hitting the DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) planning milestones. The decision timeline for preparing maneuver data (the cyclogram) will be this afternoon at 7:32 PM GMT, for a DAM on 09/29 at 4:44 PM GMT (est.).